Covid-19: Wedding Venues Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Covid-19: Wedding Venues

Lord Farmer Excerpts
Wednesday 24th June 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Asked by
Lord Farmer Portrait Lord Farmer
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To ask Her Majesty’s Government when weddings will be able to take place in venues which enable social distancing and comply with other COVID-19 precautions.

Lord True Portrait The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord True) (Con)
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My Lords, I am sure my noble friend would welcome that, following the Prime Minister’s Statement yesterday, from 4 July, wedding ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies will be able to take place in England. Venues should ensure that they are Covid-19 secure, with clear social distancing in place. People should still avoid having a large ceremony and should invite no more than 30 close family members and friends.

Lord Farmer Portrait Lord Farmer (Con) [V]
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My Lords, I do indeed welcome the announcement that my noble friend refers to. The Government are supporting commitment by lifting the ban on weddings, but marriages also need supporting. The Government were unable to express their commitment to do that in the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill, but will not bring that Bill, when enacted, into force until autumn 2021. What commitment will my noble friend make that this Government will have enhanced support in place for marriages under strain by the time no-fault divorce is available?